Virginia-
The colony of Virginia was founded by John Smith and the rest of the Virginia Company in 1607, and was a Royal colony. The reason for Virginia's founding was because the colonists were in search of precious metals, due to the fact that England wanted to find the same wealth that Spain had found in the New World. This meant that all of the settlers focused primarily on finding gold, instead of finding food and shelter. The economy was based upon the farming of rice, tobacco, and indigo.
The Virginia House of Burgesses was the first representative assembly in the colonies. It was created in 1619 as Virginia's government, and had the authority to make and pass laws, as well as raise taxes. The founding document of Virginia was the Virginia Declaration of Rights. It stated that all men have equal freedom and independence, and that no group of men were allowed certain privileges above any other colonists. Plus the document clarified that the government should be used for the benefit, protection, and security of the people in Virginia. Virginia was home to many important men, such as founding father Stephen F. Austin, President James Madison, and President James Monroe. The most common settler types found in Virginia were rich, white men who left England in search for wealth and religious freedom, or a healthier living environment. Then, in 1620, over one hundred and fifty women were sent to Virginia to become the wives of the planters. Plus, during the year 1620, slave holdings were introduced, so many African American slaves were shipped towards the Virginia colony. Maryland-
The colony of Maryland was founded by Lord Baltimore in 1607, and was a Charter colony. Maryland was founded to be a safe haven for Catholics in England, so that they can live by their religion and not worry about persecution. This meant that settlers in Maryland were free to express their religious practice in any way, shape, or form. However, most settlers were of the Puritan or Christian faith. In addition, Maryland passed the Act of Tolerance, which granted religious freedom for every religion, except Jewish.
Maryland was the birthplace to many important men, such as baseball player Babe Ruth, poet Francis Scott Key, and author Upton Sinclair. The most common settlers found in Maryland were Puritans who wanted a place to worship their god in complete tranquility. |
Sources-
Map:
Information: www.landofthebrave.info/virginia-colony.htm www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/namerica/usstates/vafamous.htm press-pubs.uchicago.edu/founders/documents/v1ch1s3.html www.celebrateboston.com/history/virginia.htm Sources-
Map:
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The Carolinas-
The colonies known as the Carolinas (North and South) were founded by Virginians in 1653 (North) and in 1670 (South), and were Charter colonies. North Carolina was founded after Virginia colonists made settlements on the shores of the Chowan and Roanoke rivers. South Carolina was founded when William Sayle sailed up the Ashley river with three whole ships, filled with English emigrants from Barbados. That meant the settlers of the Carolinas lived very different lifestyles from each other, even though they are sometimes referred to as the twin-born colonies.
In North Carolina, the colonists were poor farmers who drifted south from Virginia. However, in South Carolina, the colonists were generally rich English men. Within both colonies, plantation slavery was very common. The slaves mainly farmed rice and indigo. North Carolina was a birthplace for many important people, like President Andrew Johnson, First Lady Dolley Payne Madison, and musician Randy Travis. South Carolina is considered a home for important men and women, including composer Lily Strickland, soldier William Barret Travis, and comedian Chris Rock. |
Sources-
Map (N): www.ncmayflower.org/northeast/ Map (S): archives.sc.gov/sccountymaps/Pages/default.aspx Information: www.50states.com/bio/ncarolin.htm#.VCa_olko7IU www.usahistory.info/southern/North-Carolina.html www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/namerica/usstates/scfamous.htm www.usahistory.info/southern/South-Carolina.html |
Georgia-
The colony of Georgia was founded by James Oglethorpe in 1732, almost 50 years after the other 12 colonies were created, and was a Charter colony. Oglethorpe founded Georgia to be a safe haven for debtors that were from England or the other colonies. The debtors would be able to "start over" in the sense that all of their debts would be forgotten or forgiven, and they could continue their lives debt free.
Many important people were born, or lived in Georgia, like President Jimmy Carter, his wife (First Lady Rosalynn Carter), and civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. Georgia's settlers were mainly English men and women who were deeply in debt and needed a new life, free from debt. |
Sources-
Map: www.landofthebrave.info/southern-colonies.htm Information: www.landofthebrave.info/southern-colonies.htm www.historywiz.com/georgia.htm www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/namerica/usstates/gafamous.htm |
All Southern Colonies-
Economy:
- Tobacco ($)
- Rice ($)
- Farming
- Indigo
- Grain
- Cattle/Livestock
- Mining
- Slavery
- Warm Climate
- Flat Land
- Rich Soil
- Year-round Growing Seasons
Climate Effect on the Colonies-
Since the Southern colonies had growing periods throughout the entire year, crops had a wider span of time to develop and grow. The rich soil allowed for a variety of crops to grow. Flat lands meant less strenuous walking trips to the farm and back again. However, the warm climate meant that too much sunlight and not enough water, which can lead to the plants drying up, was a possibility when growing and harvesting crops.